Swiss Stories

swiss costumes

Swiss traditional dress – a patchwork of Switzerland's history

History
Switzerland's national costumes are a symbol of centuries-old tradition, their richness reflecting the country's geographical and social diversity as well as its interactions with neighbouring countries.
© ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Bildarchiv

150 years ago, Europe's first mountain railway opened on the Rigi

History
Cogwheel trains are an iconic part of Switzerland's proud rail history. A look back through the archives of the first Alpine cogwheel line, between the cantons of Lucerne and Schwyz.
Nicolas de Flüe

St Nicholas of Flüe, a genuine Swiss legend

History
St Nicholas of Flüe could take first place in the Swiss hall of fame. Nicholas of Flüe, also known as Brother Klaus, was a legendary figure in his lifetime and remains one to this day. Portrait of a peacemaker who is admired far beyond Switzerland's borders.
petite vache en bois au bord du lac

The story behind Switzerland's iconic wooden toy cow

History

In Switzerland, the cow is an icon. Without them, there would be no milk, no cheese, no chocolate.
Comedias y dramas: cine suizo de todos los géneros

A brief (and thrilling) history of Swiss cinema

History
Swiss cinema is modest compared to the big guns in Hollywood, but it plays a crucial role in defining the country's identity. Join us for a look at some of the key films from each period.
A young woman throws her ballot paper into the ballot box. Committee for Bern, 1 March 1970.

Swiss women at the polls!

History
It wasn't until 123 years after the Federal Constitution of 1848 and three years after the social movements in Europe in 1968 that Switzerland granted voting rights at federal level to all its citizens. Surprising for a prosperous and peaceful country like ours? Maybe not, when you consider the Swiss political system and the realities of those times. Let's take a look back at the history of gender equality in Switzerland with Sylvie Durrer, head of the Swiss Federal Office for Gender Equality.
Friedrich Dürrenmatt an seinem Schreibtisch in Neuchâtel, um 1960. Foto: Monique Jacot.

Friedrich Dürrenmatt

History
5 January 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of Switzerland's greatest authors. Friedrich Dürrenmatt reached an audience of millions with his darkly satirical plays and crime novels, which continue to be read and performed all over the world. He was also a towering moral authority who turned a critical lens on his homeland, and left behind a significant body of paintings which are on public display in beautiful surroundings at the Dürrenmatt Centre in Neuchâtel.

by Ulrich Weber